ONLINE LEARNING INHIBITS STUDENTS ABILITY TO PROPERLY LEARN

By Rocio Estrada ​El Rodeo Staff Writer

Because of the COVID-19 virus crisis, many schools across the nation have closed in-person instruction and have moved towards online education. While we have already been exposed to online learning through online assignments on Google Classroom and Turnitin, it is still challenging for both students and teachers to completely switch to online education. A teacher’s job extends beyond just teaching the material. They are also seen as mentors in some cases, and they also play a major role in detecting child abuse and neglect. With online learning, teachers can’t determine whether their student is alright or not. Many students confide in their teachers about their lives and without that in-person conversation, any progress that a student has made educationally and emotionally may be lost, especially with special needs students.Besides this discouraging thought, there is a general lost feeling among students. With the COVID-19 virus being covered in almost all platforms, things like school don’t seem to matter as much. How are students supposed to care about their Integrated Math 3 homework when they see the number of cases in their area increase daily? In-person instruction helps to remind students about upcoming assignments that they have due, but with online instruction, it is easy to ignore notifications and school in general. With everything going on right now, who can blame the students?This isn’t to bash on online learning. I like being able to do my work at my own pace. I like not having to stress about obstructions during the school day such as trying to make it to class on time when the crowds of students are in the way. I like the freedom to go to the restroom and being able to eat without having to wait more than half the lunch period to get told that the hamburgers ran out. However, it is difficult to adjust to online learning, difficult to not lose educational progress. With the school remaining closed to the end of the school year, students have to adjust to online learning; and remember to practice social distancing and general hygiene standards.